Car truck



Feb. 4, 1930. a Y B. w. KADEL 1,745,697

CAR TRUCK Original Filed April 6, 1926 2 SheetsSheet l llllll 'l l lh. n,

IN VEN TOR Byers Wlfadel ATTORNEY B. W. KADEL Feb. 4, 1930.

CAR TRUCK ori inal Filed A ril 6, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w w i W Ll,

MW w 0 Q?? INVENTOR Y Byen? WKadeZ B A TTORNE Y "Patented Feb. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BYERS .W. KADEL, OF BALTiMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE SYMINGTON COM- I 'ANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND OAR TRUCK Applic ation filed April 6,' 1926, Serial No. 100,140; Renewed July 81, 1929.

This invention relates to railway car trucks and, more particularly, to the construction of the side frames and the associated spring plank, bolster and springplates and the arrangement of a six unit nest of sign of the side frames, bolster, spring plank springs cooperating therewith whereby increased truck capacity may be secured.

The principal object of myinvention, generally considered, is the improvement in deand spring plates whereby'a greater number of Springs than normally employed may be utilized without radically changing the .construction of the parts.

An object of my invention is the employment of a six group nestof springs hexagonally arranged in place of the standard five group nest of springs, for supporting the bolster on the truck side frames whereby increased truck capacity is secured, the side .frames, bolster, spring plank and spring plates being modified for efliciently accomplishing the desired result.

Another object of my invention is the design of side frames, bolster, spring plank and associated spring plates for permittingv the employment of an additional spring unit I with each side frame, said spring unit together with the standard five units being arranged in the form of an equilateral hexagon with a long axis disposed transversely of the side frame with which employed thereby making it possible toemploya spring plank therewith of standard end width, the spring plank seat portions of the side frames being so constructed and reinforced by webs or brackets that an adequate area of SUifiClBIll) strength is provided for properly supporting the spring plank and its associated springs, spring plates and bolster.

A further object of my invention is the increase in capacity of railway car trucks normally employing a standard five unit nest of springs, for supporting each end ofthe bolster with respect to the assoclated side frame, by using an additional spring unit and arranging the six spring units In hexagonal form, the tour outer springs of the standard five unit nest of springs belng kept in normal position and the other two springs the provision of a six the longitudiinwardly and outplank beingpreferably of standard width at its ends but correspondingly lengthened because of the increased width of the spring group, the bolster being of standard construction except that the. portion thereof engaging the supporting spring assembly is locally extended to receive the-innermost spring of the group, the total length of said bolster, however, corresponding with the increase in width of the spring group.

A still further object of my invention is group nest of springs for supporting each end of a truck bolster whereby the capacity of the truck with which employed is increased, said springs replacing the A. R. A. standard five group nest of springs and being positioned with respect to the side frames so that the center of gravity of each spring group lies on the longitudinal center line of the corresponding frame, the

six groups of the nest of springs being preferably arranged as a regular hexagon with a long axis arranged transversely of the frame, the associated spring plates being correspondingly formed and provided with centrally disposed cupped portions adapted for receiving retaining means of shorter length than normal thereby obviating the necessity for forming apertures for said retaining means in the associated spring plank and frame, said spring plates also being formed with locating bosses arranged on the longitudinal center line of gravity of the plates, said bosses being adapted for reception in positioning apertures of standard location in the associated spring plank, said spring plank being of standard width at its ends but correspondingly lengthened and formed with bosses at its ends for limiting outward movement of the nest of springs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof isdefined by the appended claims Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation 5 of a truck, shown partly in section on the Figure 4; is a plan of the spring plank seat portion of the. truck side frame, the position of the springs thereover being indicated dia'- grammatically by dot and dash lines. o

2 F igure'5 is atop plan of the bottom spring plate and is'likewise a bottom plan of the top spring plate.

,. Referring to the drawings, in detail, like parts being designated bylike reference char acters, atruck side frame l is shown fragmentarily and said frame, in the present embodiment, is of integral cast construction embodying a compression member 2, a tension member 3, and bolster guide columns or struts pression and tension members, leaving awindow opening therebetween, The compression'member'2, overt-he bolster opening, is shown as substantially channel or inverted columns are shown-of similar construction at the bolster guiding portions thereof, while the tension member 3, beneath the bolster opening 5, is preferably of box shape in cross rear or inner web 9, said webs 8 and 9 being preferably upright or vertical and extending from the side edges of the web 7 to the web I 6. In order to form a spring plank seat portion of ample Width, the web 6 is extended laterally beyond the upper ends of the web 8' truck comprises two frames and each end of the spring plank is supported on one frame,

as is usual. The upper surface of said spring plank seat portion is preferably formed with A. R. A. standard squaring lugs 13 which engage in corresponding apertures 14 in the spring-plank for-maintaining the desired relation between the spring plank and side frame. The end of the spring plank 12 may be of standard width, if desired, but is longer 1 plate- 16', and the associated springs 18. In

at spacing intermediatep ortions of said comthat the desired distribution of the load is U shape in cross section, the bolster guide section and formed wlth an upper web 6, a lower web 7, a front or outer web .8 and a.

.ofsprings positioned directly-on the spring form in outline I an--.,equilateral1 or regular than normal and of slightly difierent construction for reasons to be pointed out hereinafter. As shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the spring plank is of channel or U construction and the lower Web thereof is formed with spring plate locating apertures 15 so positioned that when the spring'plank is assembled with the side frame, said apertures are located on-the longitudinal center line thereof.

Positioned on the spring plank 12 is a spring plate 16 formed with locating bosses 17 which engage in the apertures 15 in the spring plank and properly position the spring the embodlment illustrated, the bosses 17 are formed'by pressin substantially conical extensionsdownwar ly from the spring plate lfiflbutfit is obvious that they maybe of any desired'cons'truction. The spring retaining" plate-16 is preferably of non-circular form;

has illustrated and in the embodiment v dis lfclos'e'd is of 'substantially' hexagonal shape corresponding springs.

with the grouping of the k This form of plate is advantageous because it compels the party assembling the same. to properly position it with respect to the spring plank andthereby cause the associated sprin s to be properly positioned so effected. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the center of the group ofsprings is' at approximately the intersection betweenthe longitudinal center line of the frame and the center line of'the spring plank. The trans-J 'versely extending sides of the hexagonal spring plate extend in substantially the same i Y 7 direction as the upturned flanges of thespring.

plankv and the distance along a greater j j I axis of the spring plate is'gr ae th 'x thefidistance between the flanges of f th spring plank, hence the group of s 1:

and its associated spring plate must; e in-4 f serted in the position shown. In accordance with my inventioml employ'a six unit nest plate16 and properl located with-respect thereto by means o upstanding annular flanges or collars 19.whichengage the innermost springs 20 'ofithe spring groups or units 18.

In accordance with my invention, the spring groups or imits 18 are arranged in hexagonal form,,-.that is, they preferably hexagon and, gwhennormally positioned, a long axis of saidghexagon is disposed transversely' of the side frame or longitudinally of the spring'plank." The four spring units notlying on the transverse or long axis of the six unit nest of springs are preferably positioned in standard location, that is, they I are formed and located to correspond with. the sition of the four outer springs of the R. A. standard five unit nest of springs 1 normally employed with seventy ton frames 'with standard clearance only thefebetween.

In this way, it is possible to make the associated spring plank .12 of standard width merely being of sufficient length to accommoadate the outermost spring group or unit. In-

stead of the single boss normally employed on each end of'the spring plank for limiting outward shifting of the nest of springs, I

preferably employ two bosses 21, disposed as indicated particularly in Figure 2, so as to cooperate with the three outermost spring units. The locating bosses 17 are so arranged with; respect tothe collars 19 that the springs balance about said bosses, that is, said bosses preferably lie on the longitudinal center line of gravity of said springs so that, when engaged in the locating apertures 15 in the spring plank 12, the springs balance about the longitudinal center line of the frame.

The upper spring plate 22 may be constructed identical with the lower spring plate 16 but is reversed in position so that the collars 19 extend downwardly and engage'the 25 inner springs 20 and the'locating bosses 17 extend upwardly and engage in correspond ing apertures, notshown, in the truck bolster 23. Referring particularly to Figure 3, it will 1 be seen thatibecause of the innermost spring so group or unit, it will be necessary to. extend, the substantially horizontal spring engaging web or face 24 of the bolster inward as shown at 25. That, however, is only done locally so as not to decrease the bolster strength any 85 more than is necessary, the outer sides of the sloping portion 26 of the lower webof the bolster starting to slope at its standard location, asindicated at 27 and the horizontally extended portion 25 of the web 24 being thickened to avoid decreasing the bolster strength,

For retaining thespring plates 16 and 22 in the desired assembled relation with respect to the springs therebetween, and placing 5 said springs under any desired initial compression or stress, the central portions of the spring plates are, cupped or embossed toward each other as indicated at 28, said cupped portions being perforated at 29 forreceiving 59 a retaining bolt or other means 30 extend ing therebetweenj The portions 28 of the spring plates are formed sufficiently deep to enable a short enough bolt 30 to be em ployed so as not to,necessitate perforating the associated spring plank and side frame for receivingtsaid bolt when the sprin sare compressed under'load. In other wor s the plates may be. cupped-sufiicientlyto allow for usin a retaining bolt, the length of which is'the same orless than thcsolid height of the springs. If. desired; however, the customary retaining bolt a formed in the'spring plan and side frames 50 that the nest of springs constructed in B5; accordance with myn invention may be re'-,

lperture's may be I placed by an A. R. A. standard five unit nest of springs. For adequately reinforcing the spring plank seat or upper web 6 of the tension memer 3 of the side frame with respect to the novel arrangement of springs in accordance with my invention, said web 6, which is increased to a maximum directly under the innermost and outermost spring units 18, is

reinforced at these points directly under said springs, preferably by traversely disposed upright webs' or brackets 31 extending downwardly between the extended flange portions 10 and lland the adjacent webs 8 and9, respectively. As will be seen from a consideration of Figure 3 particularly, thes'ewebs are substantially triangular in the embodiment illustrated although the free edges thereof may be curved, as'illustrated,

' so that said edges are substantially horizontal where the webs merge with the lower edges of the side webs 8 and 9. From a consideration of Figure 4, it will be seen that the main upright webs 8 and 9 of the tension member are almost ideally located for the support of the four intermediate spring units as the centers of said spring units lie almost directly over said webs while the transverse webs or brackets 31 are similarly located for supporting the innermost and outermost spring units. Although the aforedescribed reinforcement is-especially designed for the six unit group of springs in accordance with my invention, yet it is also adapted for supporting the A. R. A. standard five group nest of'springs when the same is positioned so that its center of gravity lies on the longitudinal center line of the side ,frame.

From the foregoing 'disclosure, it will be seen that I have devised a construction which provides for a twenty per cent increase in spring capacity without radically changing the construction of the side frames, spring plank and associated bolster. With said modified members, the .A. R. A. standard five group nest of springs may be employed interchangeably with the spring arrangement dis closed in accordance with my invention if the spring plank and side frames are provided with apertures underlying the spring plate frame formed with a bolster opening and a frame, spring plates disposed one above and one below said nest of springs, andretaining means extending between said plates to hold the springs assembled independently of the other parts of the truck. a w

2. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a spring plank positioned onsaid spring plank seat portion of the frame, a unitary spring plate supported on said spring plank, a six unit nestof springs'supported on said spring plate above the spring plank seat portion ofthe frame, said spring plate being provided with means properly locating the springs with respect thereto and other means,

properly locating it with respect to the spring plank, said springs being arranged in hexagonal form with a long axis thereof disposed transversely of the frame and the springs so v 7 frame formed with a bolster openlng and a arranged that their center of gravity corresponds with the longitudinal center line of the frame.

3. In a car truck,in combination, aside frame formed with a compression member, a

tension member and bolster'column guides.

spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, the portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat, a" spring plank supported on said seat, a six unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank and arranged in hexagonal form with a long axis thereof disposed-longitudinally of the spring plank whereby the springs may be used with a plank of standard end width, said springs being disposed on said-spring plank so that the center of gravity of the group coincides with the bolster, the corresponding end of which is supported by the springs, and retaining means for said springs serving to place the same under initial compression and acting to prop- I erly space thelspsingsfwith respect to'each other, the spring plank and bolster.

' 4. In a Car'truek, in .combination, a side fraIne formed with a bolster openinganda spring plank seat portion underlying said openlng, a six unit nest of springs arranged plank seat portion of'theframe, said six unit nest of springs being'arrangedr as an equilateral hexagon with four of the spring units thereof positioned to correspond with the four outer spring units of the standard five unit nest of springs, the otherQtWo spring units being positioned, respectively, inwardly I and outwardly of the position 'of the central spring'unit of the standard five unit nest of I springs, all of said springs corresponding in size with the spring units of a standard nest of springs. J Y

holdingdevice, asix unit nest of springs arranged in hexagonal form with the long axis I disposed transversely of the side frame and 5.,In a carvtruck,.in combination, aside positioned on the device so that the center of gravity of thenest, ofsprings lies on-the longitudinal center line of thef'side frame,

said springs being of a size corresponding with the springs ofa standard five unit'nest of springs whereby the spring plan] made of standard end width but'co rres on P ingly lengthened on account of the increased v width of the nest of springs.

6. In a car truck, incombination, a side spring plank seat portion beneath the bolster opening, a spring plank positioned on said seat port1on,a six unit nest of springs,

hexagonally arranged with along axis there-.

of disposed transversely of 'thefframe, sup- ;ported on said s' ring plank above the spring plank seat portlon of the frame, a pair of spring plates positioned one-above and one below said nest of springs, retaining means.

joining said spring plates to maintain the same properly assembled and under; any de sired initial stress, the ends of-, the spring plank being of standard width on account of the standard five unit nest of'springs.

. 7.: In acartruck, in'combination, aside iio. frame formed with a compression member, a, longitudinal center; line of the side framefa 'tenslon member d bolster gulde columns spacing intermediate portions of the com-- of springs supported on said spring plank,

I said springs being arranged with their units "supported on said seat portion, a'six unit nest disposed as an equilateral hexagon with a with standard clearance only therebetween asg aXlS t ns transversely i frame and the four spring units not [lying on the long axis being positioned to correspond with r the four outer springunits-of a standard five unit nest of springs, whereby the spring plank may be made of.v standard width-at its ends, a bolster, the corresponding end of which is supported by the springs, spring plates posiwithout the necessity of providing an aperture in the spring plank to correspond with the retaining bolt, said spring plank outwardly of the springs being formed with retaining bosses for limiting spring shifting with respect to the plank.

'8. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath'said opening, a six unit hexagonally arranged nest of springs supported by said spring plank seat portion of the side frame, spring plates positioned one above and onebelow said springs and provided with locating bosses on the center 'line of the frame and adapted for engagement with.corresponding apertures of standard location, said spring plates being also cupped toward each other centrally of the spring arrangement, whereby they may be connected together by a retaining bolt shorter than normal, whereby suflicient room is allowed for compression of the springs without perforating the spring plank for the reception of said bolt.

9. In a car truck, in combination, a sidecuring means'extending between central portions thereofwhich are cupped toward each other and substantially conical locating bosses on said plates arranged to engage in standard apertures on the center line of the frame 10. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions, of said compression and tension members 'and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening, being widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported I on said seat portion, a six unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank over the seat portion,said spring units bemgarranged as an equilateraI hexagon with a long axis thereof arranged transversely of the side frame, a bolster, the corresponding end of whlch f s supported by the springs, sprin lates pos 1- tioned, res ectively, above an elow said -s rings an provided with spring positioning anges and central cupped portions extending toward each other, said cupped portions emg apertured. and means extending said'tension member.

through said apertures for holding said spring plates in positon with respect to said springs, saidspring plates being provided with substantially conical locating bosses arranged for engaging in normally located apertures in the bolster and spring plank, re-

spectively, whereby the arrangement may be used interchangeably with the standard arrangement.

'11; In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster column guides spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a bolster opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, being generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide imperforate web forming a spring plank seat portion, a lower web narrower than said upper web, Webs extending between the outer edges of said lower web and the upper web, a spring plank supported on said upper web, a six unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, said group of springs being arranged as an equilateral hexagon with its center of gravity lying on the longitudinal center line of the side frame and its long axis disposed transversely of the side frame, the supporting upper web of the side frame being reinorced for properly supporting said springs by web portions extending, respectively, outwardly and inwardly under said web between the same and the adjacent side webs and below the extreme inner and outer spring units of said six unit nest of springs. 12. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster column guides spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a bolster opening therebetween, the portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, being formed generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web serving as a spring plank seat portion tying together the tops of the tension member side walls and adapted for supporting a spring plank upon which rests a six unit nest of springs hexagonally arranged with its long axis disposed transversely of the side frame, the upper web of said box section being widened to a maximum beneath the center of the nest of sprin v s and reinforced at this point .by substantia ly triangular reinforcing webs extending beneath the spring plank seat por-' tion to the side walls of the box section of 13; In a. car truck, in'combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster column guides spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween that portlon of the tension member, beneat the window opening, being widened to. form a spring plank seat portion connecting the side walls of the member, a spring plank supported on said seat portion, a six unit nest of springs hexagonally arranged with its long axis transversely disposed with respect to the side frame supported on said spring plank with its center of gravity positioned on the longitudinal center line of the side frame, a bolster supported by said springs with a substantially horizontal surface'formed directly above said springs and corresponding in area with the plan thereof, said horizontal surface being extended locallytoward the center of the bolster to allow for the reception of the innermost spring unit.

14. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a

tension member and bolster guide columns spacing ntermediate portlons of said compression and tension members, leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened'to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank tained by a bolt passing through the cupped portions of said plates.

16. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed-with a compression member, a

ported by the springs, spring plates posi- 'tioned, respectively, above and below saidsupported on said seat portion, a six unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank,

two of the units of said nest being disposed substantially on the axis of the spring plank,

and the four spring units not lying on said axis being positioned to substantially. corresprings and provided with spring positioning flanges and central cupped portions extending toward each-other, said cupped portions being apertured, and means through said apertures for holding said spring plates in position with respect to said springs.

extending 1 i side frame forrailway car trucks comprising a compression member, a tension member. and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression spend with the four outer spring units of a standard five unit nest of springs, whereby the spring plank may be made of substantially standard'width at,its ends, a bolster, the corresponding end ofwhich is supported by the springs, and spring plates positioned one above and one below said springs,cupped toward each other and retained by a bolt passing through the cupped portions ,of said plates' I 15. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a

and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween,that-portion of the frame, beneath the window opening, being box shaped in cross section and formed with 3.I1 upper relatively wide web'connecting'the tension member and bolster guide columns spacing lntermediate portions of the com-' dow opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported on said seat portion, a six unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, said springs being arrangedwith their units disposed as an equilateral hexagon with a long axis extending transversely of the frame and the four spring units not lying on the long axis being positioned to correspond with the four outer spring units of a standard five unit nest of springs, whereby the spring plank may be made of standard width at its ends, a bolster, the corresponding end of which is supported by the springs, spring plates positioned one above and one below said springs, cupped toward each other at the center of the spring arrangement and repression and tension members, leaving a winsides'of the portion and serving as a spring plank seat, said web being formed with standard spring plank squaring lugs on its upper surface and reinforced at its widest point by upright transversely disposed substantially triangular bracket portions extending from the spring plank seat portion to that portion of the tension member therebeneath.

183A spring plate for a six unit spring group formed with a central cup ed portion perforated for the reception 0 retaining means for said group, annular spring centering flanges hexagonally disposed for the (six spring units and spaced substantially conical locating bosses disposed on said plate,

onga short center line thereof and adapted for engagement in apertures arranged for standard spring plates.

19. A railway car truckincluding a side fr'ame,*a truck bolster, a spring plank, a group of more than four springs symmetrically arranged about a common point with at least two of said springs-in alignment with the longitudinal center line of said spring lank, said spring plank -having upturned anges and a pair of spring retaining plates of noncircular form adapted to interfit with said flanges to compel the correct alignment of. said springs when assembling.

20. A cartruck including a side frame, a

bolster, a spring plank with upturned flanges, a group of at least six springs symmetrically arranged about a common center, a pair of connected hexagonal retainer plates carrying spring centeringprojections adapted to position said group of springs between said flanges so that at least two springs are aligned with the longitudinal center of said spring plank.

21. In a railway truck, in combinatiom side frames having compression and tension members with bolster guide columns spacing in-' termediate portions thereof leaving Window openings therebetween, those portions of the tension members beneath the window openings forming plank seats, a spring plank supported on said seats, a six unit nest of springs supported on each end of said plank and arranged in regular hexagonal form and so disposed that the plank may be of standard end with, a bolster, the ends of which are supported by said nests of springs, and retaining means for said springs serving to hold the nests assembled with the springs thereof properly spaced with respect to one another.

22. A side frame for railway trucks comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns spacing inv termediate portions of said compression and tension members leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the frame beneath the window opening being box shaped in cross section with an upper web thereof serving as a spring plank seat, said web being of greatest width midway between said guide columns and reinforced at that location by brackets extending downwardly to the adjacent portion of the tension member therebeneath.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

. BYERS W. KADEL. 

